GROCERY CHAIN, COKE JOIN AGAIN TO RAISE PARK FUNDS

San Diego 
For the fourth year, Coca-Cola and Stater Bros. have teamed up on a fundraising drive for the state’s financially challenged parks system. Their six-week Preserve Our Parks campaign is designed to raise $1 million for supporting parks in Southern California.

Shoppers can make tax-deductible donations of $1 or $5 to the effort at Stater Bros. checkout stands through April 24, or donate online at
preserveourparks.info. Additionally, Coca-Cola will pitch in $1 when consumers purchase $10 of participating Coca-Cola products at Stater Bros. stores.

Previous campaigns by the two companies have raised nearly $2 million for planting 1 million trees in parks damaged by wildfires, supporting beach cleanups and dune restoration and providing trail maintenance.

Organizers said money raised during this year’s fundraising push will be donated to California State Parks Foundation for use in the region.

USD saluted for sustainable energy efforts

The University of San Diego is the Outstanding Sustainable Organization of the Year, according to the California Center for Sustainable Energy.

The San Diego-based center called USD a “leader in sustainable facilities and programs through the integration of green transportation, progressive energy management and community leadership in waste reduction.”

The university has installed a major rooftop solar array, opened a community electronic waste collection center and encouraged alternative transportation through biking, carpooling and car-sharing programs.

“USD’s leadership in sustainability stands as an exemplary model of how California leads the nation in our conversion to a clean-energy future,” said Andrew McAllister, managing director of the energy center.